UC Santa Cruz is my top choice and I am applying as a Community Studies major.
I am an out-of-state student from Boulder, Colorado.
My weighted GPA is a 3.975 and I take primarily advanced and AP classes, as well as taking a French class at CU Boulder.
SAT- 1830
ACT- 28
SAT French with Listen Subject Test to be taken in October.
I am a member of the National Honor Society, President, Co-President and Vice-President of anti-discrimination oriented clubs, actively involved with the Anti-Defamation League and an intern for an acclaimed writer.
From all the research that I’ve done, it looks like UCSC is a good fit for me & that my scores are in the acceptable range.
Should I worry much about my chances?
Additionally, should I bother sending both my ACT and SAT scores? I know my ACT is minutely better than my SAT.
Thank you for your help!
UCSC is a wonderful school, and I think it is a match for you. This chart includes admissions figures for UCSC in recent years: http://www.ucop.edu/news/factsheets/2014/fall-2014-admissions-table2.pdf
Good luck!
UCSC: Match
Can you afford the OOS fees? You will be paying $55K per year. There is no financial aid/scholarships for OOS students. The state is out of money and likes to admit OOS students because they pay full fees.
Since California does not have articulation agreements with other states, you may want to check on the requirements and speak to a transfer specialist.
I don’t think OP is a transfer applicant. Presumably, OP knows the difference between the resident and nonresident tuition rates. California has been trying to figure out what to do with its surplus. http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/government-and-politics/20150505/californias-budget-surplus-soars-to-new-heights-schools-to-benefit
UCSC is a good match for you academically but can your parents pay the hefty pricetag out of pocket (from their income + savings)?
^ or qualify for loans. Cost may not be a significant issue for OP.
My parents are not able to contribute much to my tuition-- so cost is a big factor. I know I will end up taking out loans no matter where I go. I’ve filled out FAFSA and have qualified for a couple thousand dollars in Pell Grant. So, we’ll see what I’ll be able to do in terms of cost.
Thank you guys for all the help.
Therefore, you need to scratch the UCs and most OOS public universities from your list.
You can’t just take any amount in loans - as a freshman, you’re allowed to borrow $5,500.
(UCs cost 55K a year so if you’re Pell-eligible, your parents can’t afford that “out of pocket” .)
BTW, ask your parents directly: how much will they be able to give you for college - $100 a month? $200 a month?
The good news is that you may not have to take a lot in loans (or not at all depending on where you get in.)
You only have one week to complete this application but if you can do it and are selected, it’s worth a full ride for 4 years. No loans. For a degree from one of the nation’s top colleges.
http://www.questbridge.org/
Based on your profile and interests, your odds would be best if you ranked Colby, Davidson, Grinnell, Scripps if you’re a girl, Tufts (perhaps, for languages), Trinity, Vassar (if a boy).Plus, of course, Colorado College :). And Middlebury just in case (they"re THE gold standard for languages but your
Since they’re quite different, look into them and decide which ones are the best “fit” for you. Note that you may not be selected for Questbridge, and you may not get matched, but ultimately their application system makes your application stronger.
Outside of Questbridge, which you need to complete ASAP (deadline is September 28 and it’s a big app but i’s a full ride for 4 years so obviously they want you to earn it :p), create a list with 2 financial safeties - two universities that are affordable (run the net price calculator) and that you like well enough - UC Boulder’s honors program would likely be one of them but you must apply ASAP; then, 5-6universities that are affordable, that you like, where the admission rate is 40%+ and where your stats place you around the top 25% students, keeping in mind that if you apply 400+ miles to a LAC, your odds are boosted and you may get “preferential packaging” (ie., more scholarships); finally, add as many affordable “reaches” as you wish. The commonapp allows for 20 slots, although I wouldn’t advise you to apply to that many. But since yo have high financial need, a total of 12 wouldn’t be too high. You want to maximize your odds of a strong FA package.
If you qualify for Pell, you need to choose universities that meet 100% need (or close) for lower income students. Colorado College is one near home but there are lots of others. Pitzer is a reach but certainly worth applying to considering your EC’s.
http://www.thecollegesolution.com/schools-that-meet-100-of-financial-need-2/
The other 3,500 universities in the country will NOT meet need. In other words, they don’t care whether your EFC is zero, they’ll ask you to pay whatever amount they like, even if it’s obviously not affordable for your parents.
Did you or will you retake the ACT?
If not, send your 28 indeed, alongside your SAT subjects (what will be your second subject? You generally need two. If you’re more “literary”, English Literature is a good one. History requires a lot of studying and memorization but isn’t difficult if you’ve taken the class.)
Good fits for your scores and what you like would include Occidental and Macalester (your ACT is low for these colleges but since you’re lower income they know you probably don’t have a parent paying for tons of prep classes). Dickinson and St Olaf would be two other colleges to look into due to their extensive study abroad program and culture-based language programs. The fact you’re challenging yourself with classes at a university will count in your favor and colleges are always happy to see students interested in French classes apply (as opposed to the default option of Spanish, which tends to be oversubscribed.) I think you’d be very interested in the “American conversation” program at St Olaf based on your “community studies” interest.
Since you’re Pell-eligible, you’re eligible for one more ACT and two “free” SAT subject sittings so use them wisely. Prep assiduously - each extra point can bring you closer to a full tuition or full scholarship. Few students get their best score on the first sitting, so if you an get to 29 or 30 it’d make a difference for you.
You’re also eligible for application fee waivers - make sure your guidance counselor checks the box on commonapp, for other (non comonapp) colleges, use the NACC fee waiver.
@MYOS1634, your dedication to provide such a detailed info for OP is admirable!
@uclaparent9: just saw your note… Thank you.
I figured OP is a smart kid who doesn’t have access to the information many take for granted. CC is especially useful to these students for whom even a mistep can mean the difference between a great college and a not so supportive one, between graduating in 4 years and graduating in 6… and with application deadlines coming up, I didn’t want to risk skipping something! 
I hope OP paid enough attention to your remarks (though I do not see any reaction/response from him)!
Where else do you plan to apply?
I am also applying to CU Boulder, CSU Fort Collins, San Francisco State, Hampshire and Pitzer.
MYOS messaged me directly and I responded to him there. What a helpful and thoughtful post from him, eh? I’m very appreciative
Other than UCB and UCLA, the CA publics are simply unreasonably priced. Especially with Colorado schools as an option.
I’d suggest you stick with the Colorado schools. They are both very good and will be much more reasonable (cost wise).
Good luck